Towong, Saturday, Day 3.

Open, high speed stuff today. We fuelled at Khancoban on the way home last night, so this morning we headed directly over the Murray and the back way to Tintaldra. As we crossed the bridge at Tintaldra I looked down on the spot next to the river where I camped the night before arriving at Snowy Mountains Holiday B&B (SMH). There were now about six British bike riders camped there. The pub across the road has a toilet and an outside shower which is good for attracting business, I guess.

On to Walwa, Jingellic and Tumbarumba for a regroup and visor clean. None of us had been on the Jingellic to Tumbarumba section before, it was even Ben’s first time. It was an excellent warm up for what lay ahead: plenty of “biiig” sweepers on the Rosewood to Tumut road. As Ben says, “High speed junkies got their fix.” At the end of it, he rounded me up on the tight, downhill melted stuff, with loose gravel thrown in for good measure. I slowed ridiculously, not realizing he was there. I was hogging the road, not enjoying the feedback of the sudden change of road conditions. Sorry about that chief.

Fuel at Tumut and then more high speed, woops, I mean “open road” to Bondo. Jason’s first time up here and obviously having a blast, yelling out excitedly at the finish. Up and back to Tumorrama before returning to Tumut for lunch. A sensational ride.

Danny again is helpful with adjusting my suspension. We make a few changes and each time it feels better. He mentioned he would have a spin on my bike to feel what it is doing. I was a bit hesitant about getting on his fire breathing beast. All of a sudden after lunch I didn’t get a chance to back out and the ZX10 was under me. I yelled out “We’ll swap back first chance.”

At the start of what Ben calls the Rosewood Road, Danny and I corner marked, a perfect chance to swap back. But we didn’t. I was in awe. I wanted more time on the ZX10 and got it. It’s a dynamic (demonic) beast. My first impression was it would buck me off. But it oh so behaves itself over rough stuff. I got to ride it on the most blasting road of the day. Danny wasn’t desperate to take it back but I felt he should be having the fun on it, it being his bike. I was buzzing after that ride for quite a while afterwards.

Fuel in Tumbarumba, followed by Ben leading, as he did all weekend. Luckily we were close to the Elliot Way turnoff when flashing lights go on a cop car passing us from the opposite direction. I’d say he could recognise me from the colour of my eyes. Clint was in front of me about to stop and corner mark. I yelled “Keep going.” I thought we may have to avoid a hot pursuit. I got a blast from Dave later for leaving the corner unmarked, though. But the group was well educated and knew where to turn.

We all, surprisingly, made it to Sue City, unscathed. I’d been looking forward to this swim all day, knowing I wouldn’t have time to go to the river when we got back before going to the pub for tea. Disappointingly, the water was dramatically low and the bank black mud. I almost abandoned the idea. Until Ben went down to fill his water bottle. My boots filled with water amid a wrestle. Then the rest of my leathers got soaked with some help from one of the three fishermen who had pulled their lines in because of us. My next mistake was to take them off to swim finding it almost impossible to get back into them. Thanks for waiting, everyone.

The road down to Sue City was a bit damp after a shower when Ern came through about 1pm. So slippery in fact that Brett had a moment, his back wheel slipping, he told me later. I had two slight slips with my front tyre. These Corsa’s seem to do that easily, or maybe it’s just me stiffening up too much.

The rest of Elliot Way was grouse. We stopped and refreshed at Cabramurra. After the break, Paul backed off the pace so I was able to enjoy sitting behind him. Another stop at The Rock where Ben asks, “Do you want to follow me?” Silly question, of course I do. Paul and Brett have done a bike swap and by the time they sort themselves out, I have lost Ben, and nestled back in behind Paul (on Brett’s GSXR) who lead me through the cuttings. It was a lovely run down to the Khancoban turnoff.

Home and get ready for the pub meal, with the boys engaging in a little bit of tyre changing preparation, wheels removed.

That evening all ten of us piled into Ron Vise’s little blue bus, meeting Bronwyn and Dave at the pub in their orange ute, all packed and ready to go. They were leaving for Melbourne straight after tea. Ron Johnston, with car and car trailer returning from Melbourne, also met us at the pub. But that’s a whole other story I’ll leave Ron to tell.

We timed our run into Corryong well, our meals tabled just before the blackout caused by a humungus storm, thunder and lightening cracking right overhead, dumping two and a half inches of rain. I had left Thor (Lyn’s 60 kg rottweiler. …Ed.) inside and downstairs at Ron and Sarah’s house which was becoming a halfway house for the local terrified dogs. Back in the pub blackout, the chef was having a beer in the bar saying, “OH&S issues prevent me from cooking.”

Our trip back to SMH in the pelting rain was an experience. Ben, our designated driver, was taking it easy. The bus did not feel like it was coping well. Vision was completely impaired as we were overtaken by a semi. We made it. I don’t think I stopped laughing the whole way. In fact, that goes for the whole weekend. What great company.

Back at SMH, the tyre changing had come to a halt with no power to run the compressor. Ron and Sarah came across to the undercover garage to sit with the bikies. They brought wine and lanterns. As per other nights, the stories flowed. The tyres would have to wait till morning, the 11 pm deadline passing.

I’ll take this chance to thank everyone for the weekend. It was so much fun. Julie’s food preparation. Ben as always. Bronwyn rear rider, Jason also, Danny another time on the green machine. Danny, thanks heaps for the blast on the ZX10. Awesome.

Luv yuz,

Lyn Duncan